Chi-Town Countdown: 15 things to do, Nov. 1-15, 2009

From a retrospective of one of the all-time great Chicago movies to an examination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through beatbox, November has tons to offer Chicago’s entertainment seekers, much of it courtesy of the Chicago Humanities Festival, which brings everyone from playwright Tony Kushner to the creator of “The Simpsons” to town (plus there’s a bunch of superb-sounding presentations put on by locals).

Here are the Beat’s 15 best bets.

1. Chicago Sinfonietta: Laughter  (Nov. 2) – Laughter’s the theme for this year’s Chicago Humanities Festival, but the sound of guffaws at a classical concert would typically cause a few dirty looks and a shattered monocle or two. So take advantage of this performance, which welcomes the sounds of chuckles to go along with the violins. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.  7:30 p.m. $40.

2. Celebrating the 15^th Anniversary of “Hoop Dreams” (Nov. 4) – 15 years later, is it too soon to call “Hoop Dreams” one of the greatest documentaries of all time? I think not. This incredibly insightful and riveting documentary about William Gates and Arthur Agee, two inner city Chicago high school basketball players hoping to get out on scholarships, is still as heartbreaking and inspiring as ever. Filmmakers from local documentary studio Kartemquin Films, which produced “Dreams,” will be in attendance at this fundraiser, featuring a discussion and screening of scenes from upcoming Kartemquin films (“Hoop Dreams” itself will not be screened). Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. 6 p.m. VIP reception; main event’s at 7:30 p.m. with reception to follow. Tickets range from $75 for ages 25 and younger for the presentation and subsequent reception, to $5,000 for eight tickets, VIP reception, program recognition, and box set.

3. Matt Groening and Lynda Barry: Cartoonists in Conversation (Nov. 5) – “Simpsons” creator Groening shares the stage with cartoonist Barry (“Ernie Pook’s Comeek”) for a CHF-sponsored discussion about their work. Definitely not scheduled to appear at this discussion: Homer Simpson (too much thinking and talking).  UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. 7 p.m. $15 for adults, free for educators and students.

4. Umbrella Music Festival’s European Jazz Meets Chicago (Nov. 5) – The 4^th annual improvisational jazz fest (ending Nov. kicks off with an evening of performances from Lithuanian, Austrian, Swedish, German, Swiss and Dutch musicians. And with the first night being free, the price is certainly right. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. 6 p.m. Free.

5. Jeff Garlin’s Combo Platter (Nov. 5) – Chicago-born comic Garlin, one of the stars of Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” ships his L.A. comedy show to his hometown for the night. Garlin and guest comedians (could “Curb” co-star Susie Essman, performing at Zanies the next night, be one of them?) improvise stand-up routines based on suggestions from the audience. iO, 3541 N. Clark St. 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 (call 773-880-0199 to reserve seats).

6. Tony Kushner: 2009 Chicago Tribune Literary Prize (Nov. 8) – The genius Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright behind “Angels in America” (and screenwriter of Steven Spielberg’s supremely underrated “Munich”) very much deserves this annual CHF award. The Trib’s superb theater critic, Chris Jones, conducts an interview.  Symphony Center, 222 S. Michigan Ave. 10 a.m. $15 for adults, free for educators and students.

7. “All The Fame of Lofty Deeds” (Nov. 12) – The House Theatre delivers another musical for the hipster crowd, this one written by rock journalist Mark Guarino and featuring the songs and artwork of Chicago musician Jon Langford. The House describes the show as “what an episode of ‘Howdy Doody’ might look like if it were directed by David Lynch.” Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division. Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 20 (excluding Thanksgiving).  8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. $15 to $50 (most shows are $25 or $29).

8. The Walkmen (Nov.12-13) – Blast the Schubas show’s already sold out; The Walkmen’s wicked blend of Hamilton Leithauser’s Bob Dylan-esque wail over dissonant guitars (and occasional trumpets) sure sounds sublime in that teeny space. But at least you have two other chances to see ‘em, at the new Lincoln Hall no less. White Rabbits open Thursday; TV Torso and The Dig open Friday. 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.  9 p.m. Nov. 12, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 13. $18.

9. “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” Live (Nov. 13-14) – The only way you can make Cartoon Networks’ “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” any more bizarre is to take it on the road (perhaps?). “ATHF” creators Dana Snyder and Dave Willis will be present for this event, which promises music, script reading, help with your women’s and gender studies paper and “answering questions with completely unrelated responses!” Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14. $15.

10. Four Women Talk About Being Funny (Nov. 14) – Comedy in many ways is still a boys club, although it certainly shouldn’t be. Thankfully, CHF has made room for four women from the Chicago theater scene to talk about comedy and gender. Included in the discussion are Steppenwolf artistic director Martha Lavey, Teatro Luna founding artistic director Tanya Saracho, 500 Clown director/actor Leslie Buxbaum Danzig and ED founding member Lauren Katz.  Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N. Clark St. 10:30 a.m. $5 for adults, free for educators and students.

11. Paul Provenza and Katie Watson: Crossing the Line (Nov. 14) – Lenny Bruce could be funny and offensive. Michael Richards’ “n” word-ridden stand-up routine was just offensive. So when can you laugh, and when can you not? When can you make a joke, and when can you not? Who better to hear some theories from than Provenza, co-director of the 2005 documentary “The Aristocrats,” which featured countless, er, colorful takes of a crude joke. Attorney/Northwestern assistant professor/Second City faculty member Watson joins in the CHF-hosted discussion. Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N. Clark St. 12:30 p.m. $5 for adults, free for educators and students.

12. Yuri Lane: From Tel Aviv to Ramallah, A Beatbox Journey (Nov. 14) – Mark this as one of the most different approaches to examining the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts you’re ever going to see, this play from Chicago’s Lane leans heavily on the performer’s choice talent, beatboxing. Another performance sponsored by CHF. Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N. Clark St. 7 p.m. $15 adults, free for educators and students.

13. All Jokes Aside: Film and Discussion (Nov. 15) – Chris Rock, Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, Bernie Mac – they all cut their teeth in Chicago, specifically at the now defunct South Loop comedy club All Jokes Aside, which during the 90s showcased a number of primarily African-American comedians on their way to the big time. Former club owner Raymond C. Lambert and TV producer John Davies screen footage at this CHF event from the upcoming documentary “A Funny Business: The Rise and Fall of All Jokes Aside,” and talk about the club’s glory days. Northwestern University’s School of Law, Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago St. 3:30 p.m. $5 adults, free for educators and students.

14. A Beckett Brouhaha (Nov. 15) – Samuel Beckett’s bleak work may not seem as funny to some people as, oh say, “The Hangover,” but the playwright himself wrote “nothing is funnier than unhappiness” in his play “Endgame.” With that in mind, this CHF presentation maintains the fest’s overall theme of laughter. Part one of this tribute involves a dance piece inspired by one of Beckett’s short works put on by Chicago’s Lucky Plush Productions. Then the Neo-Futurists’ Greg Allen and Theater Oobleck’s Danny Thompson stage a sequel to their show “A Few More Last Lost Complete Works of Samuel Beckett As Found Even Deeper In The Envelope (partially burned) In A Dustbin In Paris Labeled  ‘Never to be performed. Never. Ever. EVER! Or I’ll Sue! I’LL SUE FROM THE GRAVE!!!’” Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N. Clark St. 3:30 p.m. $15 adults, free for educators and students.

15. “Late Show” Talent Search (Nov. 15) – If you’re not all laughed out between CHF, Jeff Garlin and “Aqua Teen,” there’s this chance to see between 8 and 10 comedians compete for a spot on Letterman. Zanies, 1548 N. Wells St. 8:30 p.m. $20 plus two-drink minimum.